How To Make It Work At Work

Just like everywhere else, how comfortable you feel at work will help determine if, how, and when to tell your employers and/or colleagues that you have MS. Of course, at work, some of the dynamics are different than at home.

To Tell or Not to Tell: It’s Up to You

As an employee or job applicant, you have no legal obligation to disclose your diagnosis of MS. In fact, it’s illegal to be asked if you have MS in an interview. You can describe your problem simply as “a medical condition.”

Before you decide either way, though, it’s important to know your rights.

If you’re already employed and need certain accommodations on the job, such as some time for naps or a workspace that’s close to a bathroom, thanks to a federal law called the Americans with Disabilities Act, most employers have to comply (employers with fewer than 15 employees are exempt from this law) as long as the accommodations don’t present what’s considered “undue hardship” for your employer.

One important thing to note: Legally, you must accurately state your health status information on your health insurance review forms in order to receive your benefits.